7.5 | / 10 |
Users | 4.2 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.1 |
A fictional film set in the seductive world of one of the most stunning scandals to rock our nation, American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld, who along with his equally cunning British partner and lover Sydney Prosser is forced to work for a wild unhinged FBI agent Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that's as dangerous as it is enchanting. Renner is Carmen Polito, the passionate, volatile, New Jersey political operator caught between the con-artists and Feds. Irving's unpredictable wife Rosalyn could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down.
Starring: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer LawrenceCrime | 100% |
Period | 90% |
Drama | 62% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English, English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
UV digital copy
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
There's an old adage that says "honesty is the best policy." Never has that been proven more true than in the story within American Hustle, Director David O. Russell's (Silver Linings Playbook, Three Kings) Oscar-nominated film that centers on con artists forced to pull off their biggest job yet when they're approached by the feds and given an ultimatum: reel in the bigger fish or reel off a few years behind bars. Cons, corruption, wild swings in emotion, love, lust, greed, spite, naiveté, and almost all variety of human emotions and dire consequences give the story shape and purpose. Yet for all of the interpersonal chaos and all of those broad narrative pieces, the film is just as much an intimate character examination that exposes man's drive on both sides of the law and the murky middle ground that's so often the real point of contention between the sides experiencing the pulling force that exposes both to the other's direction. Through it all is an oftentimes humorous rhythm and an only slightly bloated advancement through one of the year's most visually appealing, dramatically satisfying, and all-around fun films.
It's not real.
American Hustle looks fantastic on Blu-ray. Sony's 1080p transfer dazzles in every scene, revealing a crisp, accurate, film-like texture in every shot. Image clarity is outstanding. Light grain accentuates the film's impeccably defined details, showing with razor-sharp crispness and definition the finest facial and clothing nuances. Likewise, objects all around the frame -- from detailed artwork to wooden textures -- look natural and firmly so. Colors are bold and exciting. The transfer showcases a large variety of bright, cheery shades in most every frame. Clothing is particularly loud, but hotel walls, furniture, and appliances also stand apart. There's a slight warmth to the palette, reflected in skin tones, but nothing particularly bothersome. Black levels are enjoyably deep and inky. The image suffers from no discernible technical problems. This is a marvel of an image from Sony.
American Hustle's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack works well at every turn. Though the opening Jazz notes aren't quite so aggressive as they might should be, they're smooth and accurate, nicely detailed, and enjoyably spacious. Music only improves from there. The opening titles are richly delivered and effortlessly enveloping. It's a classic, smooth sound, presented at just the right volume at reference level and solidified by a strong and balanced low end. The track finds a more dynamic presence at a dance club scene midway through the film that blares classic disco notes into the listening area and effortlessly transforms the soundstage into a dance stage. The track produces plenty of solid and naturally implemented ambient sound effects where required, particularly in the form of city din, footsteps, and even the gentle rolling waters flowing from a fountain in one shot. Paramount to the track, however, is dialogue. The spoken word plays accurately and smoothly from the center, demonstrating no hiccups from a natural presence and rhythm. All around, this track is a solid performer and a winner.
American Hustle contains a deluge of deleted scenes and a making-of featurette.
American Hustle wasn't the year's best picture, not at the Oscars and not on paper. It may be the year's most complete picture, however, a joyful yet serious film with complex characters and deep themes built into a buoyant period exterior. One may enjoy the film as a well constructed and endlessly entertaining superficial time killer or as a more thoughtful character study. Either way -- or both ways -- it's an unforgettable experience and one of the year's must-see movies. Sony's Blu-ray release of American Hustle features brilliant video and audio. Supplements are limited in number but satisfying in quality. Highly recommended.
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